Rapeseed flowers in Shandong district: A path to prosperity for villagers

Endless fields of blooming rapeseed flowers stretch into the distance in Niuquan town, Laiwu district, Jinan. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The vibrant rapeseed flowers blooming in Niuquan town, Laiwu district, Jinan, not only paint a picturesque rural scene but also help villagers prosper.

To enhance land utilization and broaden income channels for villagers, Niuquan town has scaled up its rapeseed cultivation to over 100 mu (6.67 hectares). This initiative not only boosts the collective economic income of the village but also creates local employment opportunities for villagers.

In a bid to further develop the rapeseed industry and drive rural vitalization, the local government has formulated specific support policies for each village. The agricultural technology station offers tailored courses based on the economic crops being grown, motivating farmers to get involved with cultivation.

Moreover, agricultural service teams have been established to provide technical guidance throughout the entire process, from seedling cultivation and transplantation to pest control. They also offer complementary services such as weather alerts and agricultural insurance to ensure a successful rapeseed harvest.

"From cultivating rapeseed seedlings to flowering and seed formation, the growth period is less than three months. The harvested seeds can be pressed for oil and used as high-quality seeds for the following year, while the stems and leaves can serve as livestock feed. After harvesting rapeseed seeds, the fields can be used to grow corn and scallions," explained a village official.

In the future, Niuquan town plans to expand the planting area further and vigorously explore an integrated development model for agriculture and tourism. (Edited by Li Weiwei)